Stand-bye for a day, it's back to Ranji for Dinda

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Last Updated: Thu, Nov 15, 2012 10:26 hrs

New Delhi: Bengal speedster Ashok Dinda is all set to be released by the Indian team management so that he can join his state team for the third round Ranji Trophy encounter against Gujarat starting from November 17 at Eden Gardens.

After Ishant Sharma was diagnosed with viral fever, the BCCI had announced Dinda's name as stand-bye. He joined the squad as Ishant's stand-bye on SOS basis.

Dinda was in Chandigarh when he got a call of his selection and he travelled to Kolkata and from there dashed to Ahmedabad.

"Ashok Dinda will be taking 3:45 pm flight from Ahmedabad and will be back in Kolkata by the evening. Since the first Test has already started, the selectors feel that it is better to release Dinda so that he can utilise the time in a serious match situation against Gujarat," a senior BCCI official said.

According to reliable sources in the Board, the selectors want the 14th and 15th member of the squad to leave for Ranji Trophy duties so that they get proper match practice.

"The idea is that we need two extra players who can be substitute fielders. As for the others, it is better that they go and play the Ranji Trophy which will also help them get good match practice," a senior official informed.

It is learnt that Dinda is likely to join Bengal practice tomorrow ahead of their match against Gujarat.

"I would say Dinda should feel good about the fact that his short call-up meant that selectors now feel that he is the number one back-up pacer in the country after Zaheer Khan, Umesh Yadav and Ishant. Also, it will be a good thing as he would be able to bowl a good 25 overs," the former India player said.

There were also reports that Murali Vijay might also be released for Tamil Nadu's home Ranji game against Maharashtra.